In-Stat/MDR found that some 20% of boxes shipped during the year contained DVRs, and more than 2 million HD-capable set-tops will be shipped by year-end.

As for the future, "Worldwide demand for digital-cable set-top boxes is expected to remain steady during the next five years, as rising demand … in a few select Asian and European countries makes up for moderating demand in the all-important North American market, especially during the 2006-08 time period," In-Stat/MDR senior analyst Mike Paxton said in a prepared statement.